Today Cunat, 41, is the youngest vice president ever elected by Kiwanis International.

Shortly after his daughter's accident, Dean Cunat, Brian's father, became an active member of the McHenry organization. Cunat knew that one day he, too, would become a member.

"Being active in the community was something both my parents did, and I felt I had a responsibility to do the same," said Cunat.

For the past 21 years, Cunat, a McHenry resident, has been a member of the McHenry Kiwanis Club, assisting in such club projects as improving local parks and helping needy children during the holidays.

In addition to his local involvement, Cunat has worked his way through the Kiwanis ranks and was elected to the board of directors in 1955, becoming the youngest person ever to be elected to an international office.

Two years, ago he became one of 10 people ever to receive the organization's Circle of Service award.

During his tenure as Kiwanis governor for Illinois and eastern Iowa, 1992-93, the organization saw its largest membership growth which resulted in a gain of nearly 500 members.

Expanding on that accomplishment is one of Cunat's goals during his term as second in command. "There has been a slight decline in Kiwanis memberships throughout North America," said Cunat. "Turning that around will be the challenge."

To achieve that end, Cunat said, the organization must find a way to make itself more appealing to today's fast-paced society.

"I think people today still want to help others," he said, "but they are afraid to sacrifice too much time away from their families.

"In the past, the organization has needed a large time commitment from its members. We need to provide members both old and new with the opportunity to serve others and feel that sense of accomplishment without occupying all their free time."

Already Cunat has been slated to run for the office of treasurer and if successful, he will automatically become the youngest president of Kiwanis International.

Kiwanis International, with nearly 700,000 members, is a service organization whose "priority is to provide benefits for children," Cunat said.